Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

385. Memorandum From Secretary of State Haig to President Reagan¹

Washington, October 16, 1981

[Omitted here is material unrelated to the Western Sahara.]

3. Algerian Views on Western Sahara Fighting. On Thursday,² Assistant Secretary Veliotes raised with Algerian Ambassador Malek our serious concern about the escalation of fighting between Morocco and the Polisario in the Western Sahara—especially the destabilizing effect of the introduction of advanced SAM missiles.³ Malek said he could deny categorically the Moroccan assertion of participation by “non-Africans,” i.e., Soviets, Cubans or East Germans. Malek attributed the latest fighting to a desire on the part of the Polisario to make a “statement” on the eve of the expected UN debate on the Sahara. (S)

[Omitted here is material unrelated to the Western Sahara.]

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Agency File, Secretary Haig’s Evening Report (10/02/1981–10/28/1981). Secret; Sensitive.
2. October 15.
3. A record of the Veliotes-Malek discussion is in telegram 276044 to Algiers, October 16. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810489–0146)